Increases in sexual offences and arson but crime rate falls

SEXUAL offences have risen by almost a third and arson by more than a quarter in a year when crime fell for Stockton.

- By GARETH LIGHTFOOT

Superintendent Alan O'Donoghue, Stockton's new district commander, welcomed a “fantastic” 6.4% fall in total crime in the town between August last year and August this year, compared to the previous year.

But he recognised steep rises in some crimes and said a growth in antisocial behaviour would be “tackled head-on”.

A total of 20,083 crimes were recorded in the yearlong period. Offences reported by the public were down 7.8% while crime found directly by police officers was up by 0.7%.

Supt O'Donoghue said that slight rise “reflects the proactive policing and targeted partnership working and operations that are ongoing across the borough, which can be taken as a positive in some respects”.

He said this included an 18% rise in drug offences, with operations against organised criminals and gangs, drug dealers hauled before the courts and support given to addicts.

The crime figures showed a 1.4% fall in violence - “that’s 112 fewer victims compared with the same period last year” - while death or serious injury caused by illegal driving reduced by over 80% with nine fewer incidents, and two fewer homicides made a two-thirds drop compared to the previous year.

Vehicle offences fell by over 30%, home burglary by almost 27%, overall theft by almost 21%, stalking, harassment and public disorder by around 11%, criminal damage 7.3%.

Supt O'Donoghue said: “That's clear evidence that there’s well-established strategies across the Stockton borough.”